December 04, 2011, 1:40AM

I was dismayed to read Dillon Lewis' oped, "United States of English" on Nov. 6. Mr. Lewis needs to look at the history of the United States more closely. His statements that we have been a melting pot or mosaic are correct, but he misses the main thrust of the past immigrants in America. Their primary goal was to better... Full story »

October 23, 2011, 12:41PM

October 23, 2011, 12:10AM

In the midst of all of our economic and social problems, it is ironic that some folks want to make English our official language. Despite complaints about big government, advocates of an official language think that a punitive and self-defeating law is necessary. The fact is that English, at one time a language spoken by a tiny subset of Europeans,... Full story »

September 22, 2011, 1:48AM

I read the op-ed "Illegal immigrant crackdown would backfire in Pa." in The Patriot-News (Sept. 18). The writer states that illegal immigration is 1.3 percent of the state population, which is 12,365,455 residents in 2011. At 1.3 percent of the population, then there are 160,751 illegal residents in the state. I, for one, do not want to pay for food,... Full story »

September 14, 2011, 12:50AM

Thank you for your Sept. 4 editorial, "Rep. Metcalfe's immigration bills go too far." I was relieved to see that you reported the truth about immigration: There is only a small number of unauthorized immigrants in our state. We should focus on economic recovery, not on scaring away good workers because they weren't born here. My own people (on my... Full story »

May 07, 2011, 10:50PM

A group of religious leaders are greatly distressed by the immigration bills under consideration in Pennsylvania. We are not alone — there are many people of faith concerned. We cannot support legislation that goes against the tenets of our religious communities — against the New Testament, Hebrew Bible and Quran’s instruction to welcome the stranger and to treat the least... Full story »

August 12, 2010, 12:35AM

“We the people” does not mean we the people from Mexico (or anywhere else) who entered our country illegally. In our Constitution, it is plainly worded as “We the People of the United States of America.” At some time, within the last 18 months I found myself wondering: Will we be sharing our country with upwards of 12 million... Full story »

July 15, 2010, 7:55PM

The explanation why we are antagonized by these people is “they are not like us!” Well, you know what, in this increasingly diversified nation, there are going to be a growing number of people and religions and political views that are in contrast to “us.” I’m not even sure who “us” is anymore The “us” label shifts from group to group depending on the nature of the issue. Some of “us” become “them” when the issue changes. Full story »

July 10, 2010, 12:55AM

All the advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, including the president, harp on the flood of immigration that occurred many years ago and use it as precedence in their advocacy for what is an open border with Mexico. In the old days of vast immigration into America, there wasn’t the American taxpayer-supplied welfare in the form of medical care, food,... Full story »

June 02, 2010, 12:45AM

Once again the illegal immigration debate comes to the forefront. Finally, Arizona is doing what is needed to be done trying to stop what my grandpa says his grandfather told him was impossible. My great-great-grandpa used to say that illegal immigrants were destroying our way of life. They brought diseases and crime with them of a kind not seen in... Full story »

May 21, 2010, 12:49AM

Daryl Metcalfe's column ("Illegal aliens," May 16) on illegal immigrants struck a nerve. Visions of internment camps in the desert dance in my head. First, he uses political rhetoric to inflame opinion by leading off his article with offenses committed by illegals. A balanced piece would have compared those examples of offenses by percentage against the same type crimes committed... Full story »

May 05, 2010, 12:12AM

I just want to say that giving amnesty to the millions of illegal immigrants is like a slap in the face to all who came into this country legally. I, as well as many other American citizens, have relatives who came to this country legally to have a better life for themselves and their families. They didn't cross a border... Full story »

December 17, 2009, 1:01AM

In regard to Mr. T.W. Burger's article ("Welcome Home," Nov. 24) in The Patriot-News, it was heartwarming to see and read about the 28 foreign residents who became U.S. citizens. Coming from Europe, Vietnam, India and Africa, they sought haven and opportunity in our great country. The article noted that "becoming a citizen is no walk in the park." Applicants... Full story »

November 23, 2009, 5:48PM

Soon-to-be American citizens listen to the national anthem, performed live by the Susquehanna Township High School Concert Choir, prior to taking the American oath of citizenship during a naturalization ceremony in the Dauphin County Courthouse. PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-News

November 23, 2009, 5:48PM

Soon-to-be American citizen, Isaac Thiaka, 35, of Susquehanna Township, originally from Kenya, photographs the courtroom prior to the start of a naturalization ceremony in the Dauphin County Courthouse. PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-News

November 23, 2009, 5:48PM

The Susquehanna Township High School Concert Choir perform during a naturalization ceremony in the Dauphin County Courthouse. Choir member Rebecca DelGrande, 16, far right, was herself naturalized in the same courtroom as an infant. PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-News

November 23, 2009, 5:48PM

Indian citizens Lata Patel, 24, and her brother, Krunal Patel, 21, both of Hummelstown listen to the national anthem, performed live by the Susquehanna Township High School Concert Choir, prior to taking the American oath of citizenship during a naturalization ceremony in the Dauphin County Courthouse. PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-News

November 23, 2009, 5:48PM

Hanna Zereyohannes, 66, of Harrisburg, looks at her Ethiopian passport prior to the start of her naturalization ceremony in the Dauphin County Courthouse. Zereyohannes said her passport would, after her naturalization, become a "souvenir to show her grandchildren". PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-News

November 23, 2009, 5:48PM

New citizens, including, Touria Mahjoubi, 28, of Harrisburg, originally from Morocco, center right, and Victoria Durf, 38, of Susquehanna Township, originally from Russia, far right, recite the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time as American citizens during their naturalization ceremony in the Dauphin County Courthouse. PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-News

November 23, 2009, 5:48PM

John Thi Son, 36, of Harrisburg, originally from Vietnam, center, shakes hands with Judge Bruce F. Bratton after receiving his citizenship certificate at the conclusion of a naturalization ceremony in the Dauphin County Courthouse. PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-News